Tar Heels Pummel Radford, Wake in NCAA Tourney

Reddick's efforts were futile as the Demon Deacons shut down the junior defender -- but not without first fouling her, giving her a direct kick.

Unfortunately for Wake, Reddick has found success on several shots she's taken in the last three games since coming back from the U.S. Women's National Team. Sunday was no different.

Reddick split Wake's six-woman wall, sending a low ball past goalkeeper Erin Regan, who got a hand on it.

The goal was UNC's first as the Tar Heels moved on to a 3-1 win against Wake at Fetzer Field on Sunday afternoon.

North Carolina advanced after a 6-1 win against Radford, and Wake earned its bid after defeating William & Mary 2-0. Both games were Friday at Fetzer Field.

Play opened up on a muddy Fetzer Field with both teams frequently trading possession for much of the first half.

It wasn't until the 38th minute that Reddick started the scoring for UNC.

Reddick recently has become an interchangeable part of a new front lineup for the Tar Heels (19-1-4). This started after she returned from her involvement with the national team for the title match of the ACC Tournament.

UNC coach Anson Dorrance said the decision to move Reddick up front stemmed from discussions had last season.

"Now she can have an impact on getting us back in the game when we're losing 1-0," Dorrance said.

The goal put UNC, which rattled off 11 shots in the first 45 minutes, up 1-0 at half.

Drizzle continued into the second half, as UNC's Sara Randolph notched less than two minutes after the break.

Randolph finished a series initiated by Elizabeth Ball. Ball sent a pass to Lindsay Tarpley, who crossed the ball to an awaiting Randolph. The midfielder drilled the ball to Regan's right.

With the score 2-0, UNC continued to pressure the Deacs' goal, firing off eight more shots. UNC ended with 20 shots for the game and held Wake (13-8-1) to five.

But one of those five did materialize for the Demon Deacons. In the 62nd minute, Wake's Joline Charlton launched a ball from outside UNC's 18 that careened left of a diving Jenni Branam.

In the 82nd minute, Tarpley started a run with a pass to Reddick that was directed to Anne Morrell, who nailed a shot in the upper 90, past Regan.

This was the third time the two teams have matched up. UNC won each game.

The Tar Heels will play Tennessee at 5 p.m. in the third round of the NCAA tournament on Saturday at Fetzer Field.

The Sports Editor can be reached at sports@unc.edu.